Calyx ovate, enlarged and declined in fruit, 2-lipped; upper lip truncate and flattened, 3-toothed, the lower 2-cleft. Corolla elongated, expanded at the throat, somewhat 2-lipped, the tube with a bearded ring within; the 4 upper lobes nearly equal, but the lower much larger and longer, pendent, toothed or lacerate-fringed. Stamens 2 (sometimes 4, the upper pair shorter), much exserted, diverging; anther-cells divergent.—Strong-scented perennials, with large ovate leaves, and yellowish flowers on slender pedicels, in loose and panicled terminal racemes. (Named in honor of Peter Collinson, a well-known patron of science and correspondent of Linnæus, who introduced it into England.)
1. C. Canadénsis, L. (Rich-weed. Stone-root.) Nearly smooth (1–3° high); leaves serrate, pointed, petioled (3–6´ long); panicle loose; corolla 8–9´´ long, lemon-scented; stamens 2.—Rich moist woods, N. Brunswick to Wisc., south to Fla. and Mo. July–Sept.
6. PERÍLLA, L.
Calyx as in Collinsonia. Corolla-tube included, the limb 5-cleft; lower lobe a little larger. Stamens 4, included, erect, distant.—Coarse aromatic annual, with small flowers in panicled and axillary racemes. (A Greek and Latin proper name.)
P. ocymoìdes, L. Erect, branching, 2–3° high; leaves ovate, coarsely toothed; flowers white.—About dwellings and roadsides, S. Ill. (Schneck.) (Adv. from E. Asia.)
7. MÉNTHA, Tourn. Mint.
Calyx bell-shaped or tubular, 5-toothed, equal or nearly so. Corolla with a short included tube; the bell-shaped border somewhat equally 4-cleft; the upper lobe broadest, entire or notched. Stamens 4, equal, erect, distant.—Odorous perennial herbs; the small flowers mostly in close clusters, forming axillary capitate whorls, sometimes approximated in interrupted spikes, produced in summer, of two sorts as to the fertility of the stamens in most species. Corolla pale purple or whitish. Species mostly adventive or naturalized from Europe, with many hybrids. (Μίνθη of Theophrastus, from a Nymph of that name, fabled to have been changed into Mint by Proserpine.)
[*] Spikes narrow and leafless, densely crowded; leaves sessile or nearly so.
M. sylvéstris, L. (Horse Mint of Eu.) Finely pubescent or canescent; leaves ovate-oblong to oblong-lanceolate, acute, sharply serrate, often glabrous above; spikes rather slender, canescently pubescent.—Roadsides, etc., Penn.—Var. alopecuroìdes, Baker. Leaves larger, more nearly sessile, broadly oval and obtuse, often subcordate, coarsely serrate, more veiny, but not rugose; approaching the next.—Penn. and N. J.
M. rotundifòlia, L. Soft-hairy or downy; leaves broadly elliptical to round-ovate and somewhat heart-shaped, rugose, crenate-toothed; spikes slender, not canescent.—Atlantic States, at a few stations, Maine to Tex.